Envelope opening machine



July 4, 1967 L. G. SIMJIAN ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed Oct. 9, 1963 lO4 I a=== LUTHER G. SlMJlAN INVENTOR July4, 1967 G. SIMJIAN ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 9. 196311 Sheets-Sheet 2 I46L i4 LUTHER G. SIMJIAN INVENTOR y 1967 L. G.SIMJIAN 3,329,052

ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 9, 1963 I ll Sheets-Sheet 5&

LUTHER e. SIMJIAN INVENTOR y 4, 1957 L. G. SIMJIAN ENVELOPE OPENINGMACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Oct. 9, 1963 LUTHER e. SIMJIANINVENTOR y 4, 1967 L. G. SIMJIAN ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE llSheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 9. 1963 LUTHER G. SIMJIAN INVENTORJuly 4, 1967 L. G. SIMJIAN ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 6Original Filed Oct. 9, 1963 mwm LUTHER G. SIMJAN INVENTOR y 4, 1967 L.G. SIMJIAN ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet '7 Original FiledOct. 9, 1963 LUTHER G. SIMJIAN INVENTOR July 4, 1967 cs. SIMJIANENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE Original Fi'led Oct. 9. 1963 11 Sheets-Sheet 8w 4 4 5 2 7 H m I 2 l O I 3 v 6 w I... 3 2 F E I O M 25 5 O AIU/ 3 O m 26 2%. 2 4 r 3 MM 8 o 3 .4 2 1! 3 4 5 LUTHER G.'S|MJ|AN INVENTOR y 4,1967 L. G. SIMJIAN 3,329,052

ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 9, 1963 l1 Sheets-Sheet 9COMM AC DC AC SOB-l LUTHER G. SIMJIAN FIG. INVENTOR y 4, 1967 1.. G.SIMJIAN 3,329,052

ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 9, l963 ll Sheets-Sheet lo-LUTHER G. SIMJIAN INVENTOR FIG. 19B

y 1967 L. G. SIMJIAN 3,329,052

ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE LUTHER 6.3IMJIAN INVENTOR United States Patent3,329,052 ENVELOPE OPENING MACHINE Luther G. Simjian, Greenwich, Conn.,assignor to Universal Match Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporationof Delaware Original application Oct. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 315,016, nowPatent No. 3,295,139, dated Dec. 27, 1966. Divided and this applicationSept., 13, 1966, Ser. No. 590,453 7 Claims. (Cl. 83-176) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A machine for receiving a sealed envelope containingdocuments; such envelope being opened by a dagger-like instrument whichis thrust into the envelope from one side, and extensible cutting meanscarried by the instrument when disposed within the envelope are extendedwhereby the side panels of the envelope are fully severed along theirjunctions. One panel is serialized and returned to serve as receipt. Theopened envelope and contents are moved to a photographic position, eachdocument photographed and subsequently the documents are stored instacked arrangement, the remaining envelope portion dividing thecontents of one envelope from those of a succeeding one.

This application is a divisional application of Ser. No.

139, dated Dec. 27, 1966, entitled Depository Machine.

This invention relates to depository machines and more particularly to adepository machine combined with an image recording means which issuitable for receiving deposits in a bank or a similar establishment.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,076,965, granted to me on February 5, 1963,entitled Depository Machine Combined With Image Recording Means, thereis disclosed a machine which is adapted to receive an envelopecontaining a plurality of documents, such as paper currency and checks,to extract the paper currency and checks from the envelope, toindividually photograph and to store the paper currency and checks, andto provide a receipt for the transaction.

In U.S. Patent Nos. 3,187,985 and 3,187,986, both dated June 8, 1965,and entitled Envelope, there are disclosed envelopes which are adaptedto receive and to transport documents; each is adapted to beautomatically opened by a suitable machine and the documents separatedtherefrom without the possibility of damage to the documents; and eachautomatically creates a transaction receipt which may be separated withthe documents from the envelope. I

The machine of this invention is especially suited for use with thedouble ended envelope disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,187,986 supra. Thedepositor may at his convenience insert into the envelope the papercurrency and checks which he intends to deposit and seal the envelope.This envelope may then later be personally inserted into the machine bythe depositor; or it may be sent through the mails to the bank, whereatthe envelope, without first being opened, is inserted into the machine.

An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a machine forreceiving a sealed envelope containing a plurality of documents, forextracting the documents from the envelope, for serially making a recordof each extracted document, and for reforming the recorded documents ina stack, each plurality of documents being separated from adjacent otherpluralities of documents by the envelope.

Another object is to provide a machine for receiving a sealed envelopefrom a depositor, either directly or via the mails, for automaticallyopening the envelope and extracting the contents, for making a record ofthe contents, and for returning a receipt of the transaction.

3,329,052 Patented July 4, 1967 c CC A feature of this invention is theprovision of means for receiving a plurality of sealed envelopes, eachcontaining at least a document; means for dividing each envelope into atleast two independent portions; means for extracting the containeddocuments from each envelope; means for serially recording eachextracted document; and means for disposing the recorded documents in astack, the documents from one envelope being separated from adjacentother documents by at least one portion of the one envelope.

The operation of the overall system may be briefly summarized asfollows:

(1) An envelope having a multifold plait at one end is received in arandom orientation, inspected for an indicium, oriented with respect tothe indicium and the system, and stored in a buffer storage.

(2) The envelope is fed to an opening system, the orientation of themultifold plait is ascertained by a gate assembly, and if correct, theopening process is initiated. A pair of suction tubes seizes the upperand lower panels of the envelope, spreading apart the multifold plait,and advances the plait onto a dagger-like assembly. The envelope is thenseized by a pair of clamp elements which advance the envelope on thedagger-like assembly, causing the assembly to enter the envelope throughthe plait between the panels. The assembly is manipulated to divideapart the panels. One panel is stamped with a transaction number andthis panel is ejected from the system as a receipt.

(3) The divided envelope and its contents are moved as a stack to arecording system. The items of the stack are fed one at a time past thefield of view of a camera and both sides of each item are photographed.The items are restacked with the documents from one envelope separatedfrom other documents by portions of that envelope.

These and other objects and features of this invention will become moreapparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

' FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the overall envelope receiving, opening andrecording assemblies;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the envelope opening assembly as a detail ofFIGURE 1 showing an envelope presented to the opening means;

FIGURE 3 is a side view in cross-section taken along the line 33 ofFIGURE 2 of the envelope opening assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a side view in cross-section taken along the line 44 ofFIGURE 2 of the envelope opening assembly, showing as a detail the meansfor aligning the leading edge of the envelope with the envelope openingmeans;

FIGURE 5 is a front view in cross-section taken along the line 5-5 ofFIGURE 3 of the envelope opening assembly, showing as a detail the meansfor spreading apart the two folds of the envelope;

FIGURE 6 is ;a plan view of the envelope opening assembly as a detail ofFIGURE 2 showing the envelope partly opened by the opening means;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the envelope opening assembly as a detail ofFIGURE 2 showing the envelope fully opened by the opening means; i

FIGURE 8 is a front view in cross-section taken along the line 8-8 ofFIGURE 3 showing the envelope opening and document stacking assemblies;

FIGURE 9 is a front view in cross-section taken along the line 9-9 ofFIGURE 2 of the envelope opening assembly, showing as a detail the meansfor returning a portion of the opened envelope as a receipt;

FIGURE 10 is a front view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the ejection ofthe receipt;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the recording assembly;

FIGURE 12 is a side view in cross-section taken along the line 12-12 ofFIGURE 11 showing the recording assembly;

FIGURE 13 is a front view in cross-section taken along the line 1313 ofFIGURE 12, showing as a detail the field of view of the recording means;

FIGURE 14 is a detail of the recording assembly showing a resilientpower roller assembly;

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of a double ended envelope which isparticularly suitable for use with the instant invention, and which isdisclosed in US. Patent No. 3,187,986 supra;

FIGURE 16 is a plan view of the paper blank which is folded and glued toform the envelope of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a view in cross-section taken along the line 17-17 ofFIGURE 15;

FIGURE 18 is a view in cross-section taken along the line 18-18 ofFIGURE 15;

FIGURES 19A and 19B when joined together are a schematic electricalcircuit diagram showing the electrical interconnections of the instantinvention;

FIGURE 20 is a plan view as a detail of a modification of the envelopeopening means; and

FIGURE 21 is a front view as a detail of the modification of FIGURE 20.

The envelope receiving and orienting system Turning now to the drawings,a hopper 2 is shown in FIGURE 1 to receive document transportingenvelopes. The hopper 2 may have an inlet passing through the exteriorwall of the bank with a known night depository door fitted thereto forreceiving envelopes which are personally inserted therein by thedepositor. Alternatively, or additionally, the hopper may have an inletinto which the postal authorities may empty the contents of a mail baginto which the document transporting envelopes have been segregated fromthe ordinary mail addressed to the bank. This segregation may beaccomplished by the postal authorities in response to the bank givingthese envelopes a unique code such as a particular postal box number.

Suitable means, such as a hopper vibrator and feed rollers (not shown),are provided to serially feed the deposited envelope to a known envelopeorienting system 4, which inspects the envelope for an indicium, such asa stamp, and orients it with the same face up by feeding or not feedingthe envelope through a pair of twisted inverting belts. Associated withthe envelope orienting system is a metal detection device (not shown) toactuate the system to divert any envelope having a metallic enclosure;and an envelope thickness measuring system to divert any envelopecontaining more than a predetermined number of documents. The envelopeorienting system transports each envelope to a buffer storage hopper 6.Suitable means, such as a hopper vibrator and feed rollers (not shown),are provided to serially feed oriented envelopes to the envelope openingsystem 8.

The exemplary envelope It will be seen that the exemplary envelope 10disclosed in FIGURES 15, 16, 17, and 18, consists of a paper blank 12which is folded and glued. The blank 12 includes a recipients addressface panel 14, a senders address face panel 16 joined to the panel 14 ata fold line 18, and a baffie panel 20 joined to the panel 16 at a foldline 22. A top flap 28 is joined to the panel 14 at a fold line 30. Aleft multifold plait 32 is provided by a leg panel 34 which is joined tothe panel 14 at a fold line 36, a leg panel 38 which is joined to thepanel 34 at a fold line 40, and a side flap 42 which is joined to thepanel 38 at a fold line 44. A symmetrical right multifold plait 32' isprovided by a leg panel 34, a fold line 36, a leg panel 38', a fold line40', a side flap 42' and a fold line 44'. Adhesive is applied to onesurface of the blank 12, as shown in FIG- URE 16, at 42, 48, 50, 52, 54,42', 50, 52, and 54'.

When the paper blank is folded and glued, as shown in FIGURES 17 and 18,the left fold line 36 forms the vertex of a first externally directedfold, the fold line 40 forms the vertex of a mediate, internallydirected fold, and the fold line 44 forms the vertex of a secondexternally directed fold, to comprise the left plait 32. The right plait32 is similarly comprised. The left and the right edges of the bafilepanel 20 are respectively disposed in the first folds of the left andthe right plaits, but are not joined thereto. The batfie panel 20 andthe recipients address panel 14 form a sub-enclosure which is adapted toreceive a plurality of documents, shown as a single document 56.

An indicium 58, shown as a postage stamp, is disposed on the recipientsaddress panel 14 for sensing by the envelope orienting system. Indicia60 and 60', shown as notches, are respectively provided through theexternal edges of the left and right plaits 32 and 32.

A portion 62 of the upper surface of the panel 16 is coated with anagent for transferring impressions The depositor writes his name andaddress on the portion of the panel 16 which is not covered by the flap28 when the envelope is sealed, and also writes a listing of thedocuments enclosed on the portion of the panel 16 which is covered bythe flap 28. The impression of this writing will be reproduced on thebaffle panel 20.

The envelope opening system The envelope opening system 8 is partiallyenclosed by a left side plate 70, a right side plate 72, a front plate74 and a rear plate 76. An envelope entrance slot 78 is provided in theleft side plate 70, and a guide plate 79 is suitably mounted to dividethe slot into two parts, see FIGURES 2, 9 and 10.

A gate assembly 80, as shown in FIGURE 4, is provided adjacent theentrance slot to check the orientation and alignment of the documenttransporting envelope 10 as it is partly inserted through the entranceslot by the feed means from the buffer storage hopper 6. The gateassembly includes a cross rod 82 from which depend a left vertical rod84, a right vertical rod 86 and a snap action switch 88. The cross rod82 is constrained in suitable guides (not shown) for verticalreciprocation. A solenoid 90 is fixed to the rear plate 76 by a bracket92 and has its plunger 94 connected to the left end of the cross rod 82.A tension spring 96 is fixed at one end to the rear plate 76 by abracket 98 and at its other end to the left end of the cross rod 82. Asimilar assembly of a solenoid 90, a bracket 92, a solenoid plunger 94,a tension spring 96', and a bracket 98' is fixed to the front plate 74and the right end of the cross rod 82. The tension springs normally biasthe gate assembly into a lower position wherein the vertical rods 84 and86 and the switch 88 preclude the complete passage of the envelopethrough the slot 78. The solenoids, when energized, elevate the gateassembly to permit the complete passage of the envelope.

When the envelope 10 is properly aligned with the gate assembly, theleft portion of the leading edge of the envelope abuts the left verticalrod 84 and the notch 60 (or 60' depending on which end of the envelopeis leading) receives the right vertical rod 86. Under thesecircumstances the senders address face panel 16 of the envelope will beuppermost. The right portion of the envelope leading edge will alsoactuate the switch 88.

A top cross plate 100, as seen in FIGURES 3 and 8, is secured betweenthe top edges of the front plate 74 and the rear plate 76. A bracket 102depends from the top cross plate. An upper support rod 104 and an upperguide rod 106 are secured between the left side plate 70 and the bracket102. A lower support rod 108 and a lower guide rod 110 are securedbetween the left side plate 70 and the right side plate 72.

As seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, a clamp carriage block 112 has an upperhorizontal hole 114 through which the lower support rod 108 isjournaled, and a lower bifurcation 116 which is fitted about the lowerguide rod 110. Fixed to the top of the block 112 is a horizontal upperclamp arm 118 which has a rubber faced clamp element 120 at its distalend. Pivotally mounted to the top of the block 112 is a lower clamp arm122 which has a rubber faced clamp element 124 at its distal end. Ashort vertical guide rod 126 stands up from a knee in the block 112. Afollower block 128 is journaled for vertical movement on the rod 126.The follower block carries a cam follower roller 130 and one end of aconnecting rod 132, the other end of which rod bears against the lowerclamp arm 122. The cam follower roller 130 thereby pivots the lowerclamp element 124 against and away from the upper clamp element 120. Asseen in FIGURES 3 and 8, a cam 'bar 134 is pivoted at one end to a link136 which is also pivoted to a bracket 138 fixed to the front plate 74,and at its other end to a link 136' which is pivoted to a bracket 138'fixed to the front plate 74. A solenoid 140 is fixed to the left sideplate 70 and has a plunger 142 which is coupled by a link 144 to theleft link 136. The solenoid 140 thereby raises and lowers the cam bar134. The cam bar is shown in FIGURE 8 in solid lines in its lowerposition, and in dotted lines in its raised position. Thus, when the cambar solenoid 140 raises the cam bar 134, the cam follower roller 130 andthe lower clamp element 124 are also raised. The cam bar is coextensivewith the full range of travel of the clamp carriage block 112, and isthus able to control the movement of the lower clamp element at anyhorizontal position of the clamp carriage block. A switch 145 is mountedto the left side plate and is actuated by the cam bar in its raisedposition.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 3 and 7, a dagger 146, comprising asubstantially U shaped plate having a central cut-out 147, is disposedhorizontally between and secured at its legs 146L and 146L respectivelyto the front plate 74 and the rear plate 76. The dagger is substantiallyat the same horizontal level as the envelope entrance slot 78, and thepoint 146P of the dagger projects towards the slot 78. Two envelopeopening wires 148 and 148 are secured to the dagger. One end of the Wire148 is pinned at 150 adjacent the point of the dagger. The other end ofthe wire 148 is secured to one end of a tension spring 152, the otherend of which is pinned at 154 to the leg 146L of the dagger. Similarly,the wire 148' is pinned at 150, and by a tension spring 152' to the leg146L'. The clamp elements 120 and 124 are disposed above and be low thedagger 146 and its central cut-out 147, the upper clamp element 120passing through the cut-out 147.

A carriage block 156 includes a lower horizontal hole 158 through whichthe upper support rod 104 is journaled, and an upper bifurcation 160which is fitted about I the upper guide rod 106. Fixed to the bottom ofthe block 156 is a horizontal plate 162. A pair of grooved rollers 164and 164' are pinned for free rotation to the underside of the plate 162.The rollers 164 and 164' are respectively engaged with the envelopeopening wires 148 and 148. When the block 156 is moved from the positionshown in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 7,

.the rollers deflect the wires away from the center of the dagger. Thesprings 152 and 152' are extended to provide extra length to the wiresas they are deflected.

A pair of suction tubes, as seen in FIGURES 2, 3, 5, and 8, coup-led toa vacuum system 165 (FIG. 19A), is disposed adjacent the envelopeentrance slot 78. The upper tube 166 is pivoted at 168 to a bracket 170which is fixed to the left side plate 70 above the slot. The lowersuction tube 172 is pivoted at 174 to a bracket 176 which is fixed tothe left side plate 70 below the slot. A solenoid 178, which is fixed tothe left side plate by a bracket (not shown) has a plunger which iscoupled by a link 182 to the upper suction tube. A similar solenoid 178'is coupled by a plunger 180' and a link 182' to the lower suction tube.The tubes are normally biased into the aligned vertical position whichis shown in solid lines in FIGURE 5. When the solenoids 178 and 178' areactuated, the tubes are pivoted to the inwardly directed position whichis shown in dotted line. A snap action switch 184 is also mounted to abracket (not shown), and is actuated by the lower suction tube after itis pivoted into the inwardly directed position.

A plurality of sprocket wheels, as seen in FIGURES 2, 3, and 8, arerotatably mounted to the inside of the front plate 74. A single sprocketwheel 186 and a double sprocket wheel 188 are mounted on the samehorizontal level as the upper support rod 104. A double sprocket Wheel190 and a single sprocket wheel 192 are mounted on the same horizontallevel as the lower support rod 108. A motor 194 driving a sprocket wheel196 is mounted below the upper double sprocket wheel 188, and a motor198 driving a sprocket wheel 200 is mounted below the lower doublesprocket wheel 190. A vertical sprocket chain 202 couples the motorsprocket Wheel 196 and the outer set of sprockets of the double sprocketwheel 188. A horizontal sprocket chain 204 couples the inner set ofsprockets of. the double Wheel 188 and the single sprocket wheel 186. Ahorizontal pin 206 is fixed to one element of the chain 204, and thedistal end of this pin rides in a vertical slot 208 in the carriageblock 156. As the chain 204 is driven by the motor 194 in a singledirection the pin 206 reciprocates the carriage block over the fulllength of the upper support rod 104. A vertical sprocket chain 210couples the motor sprocket wheel 200 and the outer set of sprockets ofthe double sprocket wheel 190. A horizontal sprocket chain 212 couplesthe inner set of sprockets of the double sprocket wheel 190 and thesingle sprocket wheel 192. A horizontal pin 214 is fixed to one elementof the chain 212, and the distal end of this pin rides in a verticalslot 216 in the clamp carriage block 112. As the chain 212 is driven bythe motor 198 in a single direction the pin 214 reciprocates the clampcarriage block over the full length of the lower support rod 108.

The horizontal plate 162 also carries a pair of pivoted push fingers 218and 218' as seen in FIGURES 2, 8, 9, and 10. The upper end of the pushfinger 218 is pivotally mounted to a bracket 220 which is fixed to theunderside of the plate 162. The lower end of the finger carries a rubbertip. The finger 218' is similarly provided with a bracket 220' and atip. The length of the fingers from their upper pivots to the ends oftheir rubber tips is greater than the perpendicular distance from thepivots to the dagger 146 below. Thus, when the plate and the fingers arecarried away from the envelope entrance slot 78, the finger ends ridefreely over the dagger; but when the fingers are carried towards theslot, the fingers bear down against the dagger. A platform 222 is fixedbeneath the dagger.

A known stamp mechanism, as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, is provided tocooperate with the envelope opening system. An upper die 224 ispivotally mounted to the rear plate 76 and is solenoid acuated; and alower anvil 226 is fixed to plate 76 and the anvil is solenoid actuated.When actuated, the die and the anvil approach each other through thecentral opening 147 in the dagger 146. The die and the anvil arenormally biased away from the dagger. The die contains a known indexingmechanism for a numerical stamp whereby each actuation of the stampmechanism will print a unique and consecutive number. A switch 227 ismounted to the rear plate and is actuated by the die as it lowers tooppose the anvil in stamping the envelope.

The operation 0 the envelope opening system The envelope receiving andorienting system delivers the envelope 10 to the opening system bypassing one end of the envelope through the slot and between thevertically aligned suction tubes 166 and 172 until the leading edges 36and 44 abut the gate assembly 80. The senders address face panel 16 ofthe envelope 10 is uppermost, the right vertical rod 86 enters theenvelope notch 60, and the leading edges actuate the snap action switch88.

The vacuum system develops a vacuum at the suction tubes, which draw thetwo folds of the envelope plait apart. After a short delay, the gatesolenoids 90 and 90 are energized to raise the gate assembly 80, and thesuction tube solenoids 178 and 178' are energized to pivot the suctiontubes to the dotted line position shown in FIG- URE 5. The tubes drawthe envelope plait onto the point 146P of the dagger, and the lower tube172 actuates the snap action switch 184.

The envelope clamp carriage 112 is initially in the position designatedA in FIGURE 2 and the clamp elements 120 and 124 are respectivelydisposed above and below the dagger point 146P. When actuated, theswitch 184 energizes the clamp bar solenoid 140, which raises the cambar 134 to the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 8. The cam followerroller 130 rises with the cam bar and pivots the lower clamp arm 122 toclamp the two folds of the envelope plait about the dagger point betweenthe clamp elements. The switch 145 is actuated by the raised cam bar.

After a short delay, the clamp transport motor 198 is energized, whichdrives the clamp transport sprocket chain 212 and the pin 214 totraverse the clamp carriage block away from the envelope entrance slot 78. The rubber faced clamp elements draw the envelope plait over thesmooth surface of the dagger and drive the dagger point through theinner envelope fold 40. The roller plate carriage block 156 is at thistime in its extreme right hand position, as shown in FIGURE 2. After theenvelope has been drawn adequately onto the dagger to fully sever theinner fold 40, the clamp carriage actuates a switch 228 which pulses thestamp solenoid to pivot the die 224 toward the anvil 226 to stamp theenvelope on the fly. As the die lowers, it actuates the switch 227. Asthe clamp carriage continues to traverse, it actuates a switch 230 toenergize the roller plate carriage drive motor 194. The motor 194 drivesthe chain 204 and the pin 206 to traverse the plate and the rollers 164and 164 toward the envelope entrance slot 78. As the dagger enters theenvelope it carries the opening wires 148 and 148 within the envelope.The rollers nOW pull the wires through and sever the long folds of theenvelope, as shown in FIGURE 6. The clamp carriage and the roller platecarriage continue to traverse until the other end of the envelope issevered, as shown in FIGURE 7. Referring to FIGURES 17 and 18, it willbe seen that the dagger enters the envelope between the panels 16 and20, and as the panel 16 is uppermost, the panel 16 is therefore abovethe dagger, while the panel 20, the document 56 and the panel 14 arebelow the dagger. When the roller plate reaches the position shown inFIGURE 7, having traveled a distance equal to the length of theenvelope, the three panels have been severed from each other. As theclamp carriage continues to traverse to the right it actuates a switch232 which causes the clamp carriage motor to be deenergized, halting thetraverse of the clamp carriage, and also causes the cam bar solenoid tobe deenergized, releasing the envelope panels and the documents from thegrip of the clamp elements. The roller plate carriage drive motor,however, continues to be energized and the pin 206 in the slot 208traverses the plate carriage back to its right hand position, shown inFIGURE 2, and into a second cycle towards the entrance slot 78. Thissecond cycle starts at the time the clamp elements release the envelope.The panel 20, the document 56 and the panel 14 are supported by theplatform 222 fixed below the dagger. The panel 16 lies on top of thedagger and is otherwise not constrained. As the roller plate carriage156 traverses towards the entrance slot in its second cycle, the fingers218 and 218' push the panel 16, which was previously stamped by the die224, off the dagger and through the envelope entrance slot. As shown inFIGURE 10, the lower end of the guide plate 79 is slightly below theupper surface of the dagger and, therefore, the panel 16 passes abovethe guide plate. The curved guide plate deflects the envelope above andto the rear of the input flow of envelopes, as shown in FIGURE 1. Thepanel 16 bears a transaction number provided by the stamp die 224 andconstitutes a receipt of the transaction. This receipt may be feddirectly back to the depositor, or inserted into a window-type envelopefor mailing to the depositor.

As the platform carriage traverses towards the envelope entrance slot inits second cycle, it is effective to actuate a switch 233. The switch233 reenergizes the clamp bar solenoid 140 to cause the clamp elementsand 124 to grip the remaining envelope panels and the documents restingon the fixed platform 222. The switch 233 after a delay, alsoreenergizes the clamp carriage drive motor 198 which traverses the clampcarriages further away from the envelope entrance slot 78 towards theright. When the clamp carriage reaches the dotted line position which ismarked B in FIGURE 2, it actuates a switch 234. The switch 234deenergizes the cam bar solenoid 140, causing the clamp elements torelease the panels and documents. When the clamp carriage reaches thedotted line position which is marked C in FIGURE 2, it actuates a switch236. The switch 236 deenergizes the clamp carriage drive motor 198,halting the clamp carriage. The roller plate carriage at the end of itssecond angle is effective to actuate a switch 237, which deenergizes themotor 194, halting the carriage.

The envelope panels and contents recording and stacking system Thesystem 250, which individually and serially records each of theremaining panels of the envelope and the contained documents, is shownin FIGURES l, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. A left side plate 252 and aright side plate 254 fixedly support therebetween a U-shaped guide plate256 for an escalator tray 258. The tray has a concave portion with acentral axis extending from its front to its rear, and this tray isfixed on the top of a tray carriage block 260. A front plate 262 is alsofixed between the left and the right plates and this plate supports oneend of a guide rod 264 below the center cut-out of the guide plate 256.The bottom of the tray carriage block 260 includes a hole 266 throughwhich the guide rod 264 is journaled. A cross-rod 268 is pinned throughthe block 260 and each end of this rod has rotatably mounted thereon aspool 270 and 270' respectively. A pair of constant tension flat springs272 and 272', such as a negator, are respectively wound around thesespools, and the free ends of the springs are pinned, at 274 and 274,respectively, to the rear portion of the guide plate. These springsserve to bias the tray towards the rear of the guide plate, the rearedge 276 of the tray sliding along the upper surface of the guide plate.A solenoid 278 is fixed to the front plate, and operates a plunger 280which is coupled by a link 282 to one end of a latch 284. This latch iscentrally pivoted to a bracket 286 which is also fixed to the frontplate. The other end of this latch is adapted to engage a tooth 288upstanding on the block 260. The latch is biased towards its toothengaging position by a tension spring 290 which is pinned between thelatch and the front plate. The tooth and the latch have suitable mutualcamming surfaces and interengaging surfaces. A link 291 is pivoted atone end to the bottom of the block. The other end of this link has adepending tooth 292 and a projecting pin 294. A gear 295, a sprocketwheel 296, and a sprocket wheel 297 are fixed to a shaft 299 which isjournaled through the side plates 252 and 254. The sprocket wheel 296carries a sprocket chain 298 which is also carried by a sprocket wheel300. The sprocket wheel 300 is rotatably mounted between the side plateson a cross-rod 301. An element of the sprocket chain 298 carries aprojecting pin 302 which is adapted to engage the tooth 292 and therebyto traverse the tray carriage block towards the front plate when thesprockets are rotated clock-wise. A guide plate 304 fixedly projectsfrom the right side plate, and a bent fiat spring 306 is pinned to thefront plate. After the negator springs traverse the carriage block tothe rear, the chain pin 302 engages the link tooth 292 and therebytraverses the carriage block forwardly, the link pin 294 passing underthe guide plate 304. Prior to the end of travel of the block, the linkpin abuts the spring 306 and deflects it downwardly. When the linkpasses beyond the guide plate the spring raises the link pin above theguide plate. When the carriage block is traversed again to the rear bythe negator springs the link pin rides above the guide plate and doesnot interfere with the sprocket chain until it drops off the rear edgeof the guide plate to the subsequently engaged by the chain pin 302.

A motor 308 is fixed to the right side plate 254 and rotates a sprocketwheel 310. Three shafts 312, 314, and 316 are journaled through theright and the left side plates and respectively have fixed thereto threesprocket wheels 318, 320, and 322. Each of these shafts carries aplurality of rubber rollers, as shown in FIGURE 11. The motor 308 drivesthe shafts 312, 314, and 316 by means of a sprocket chain 324 passedaround these sprocket wheels. A shaft 326 is journaled through the sideplates below the shaft 316, and carries a plurality of rubber rollerswhich engage the rollers on the shaft 316. Two shafts 328 and 330 arejournaled through the side plates above the shaft 314. Each shaftcarries a staggered plurality of rubber rollers which engage the rollerson the shaft 316.

A shaft 332 is journaled through the side plates below the shaft 312.This shaft 332 carries a plurality of rubber rollers which engage therollers on the shaft 312 through a plurality of cut-outs 333 in the rearof the guide plate 256, and a gear 334 which meshes with the gear 295.

A magnetic brake 336 is coupled between the shaft 332 and the right sideplate 254. A shaft 338 is journaled through the side plates and carriesa sprocket wheel 340 and a plurality of rubber rollers mounted on oneway clutches 339 and 339'. When the tray is in its rear or upperposition, which is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 12, these rollersabut the rear portion of the tray. A sprocket chain 342 interconnectsthe sprocket wheel 340 with the sprocket wheel 297.

A light source 344 and a photoelectric detector 346 are fixed bysuitable brackets (not shown) to inspect the nip of the rollers on theshafts 312 and 332. When the leading edge of a document enters this nipand interrupts a light beam between the source and the detector, themagnetic brake 336 is pulsed to momentarily stop and then slow therotation of the shaft 332 with respect to the shaft 312. The shaft 312,which is positively driven by the sprocket chain 324, normally drivesthe shaft 332 by their frictionally interengaged rollers.

Although the shaft 312 is positively driven by the sprocket chain 324and is rigidly journaled through the right and the left side plates, itis desirable that its rollers be resiliently biased towards the shaft332. As seen in FIGURE 14, the rubber rollers 348 are mounted on atubular shaft 350 through which the shaft 312 passes. The tubular shaftis resiliently coupled at each of its ends to the central shaft 312 by apair of respective sheet metal bellows 352 and 352 fixed between thetubular shaft and a pair of respective rings 354 and 354. The rings arefixed to the central shaft by suitable means, such as set screws. Thetubular shaft thus rotates with the central shaft, but is permitted tobecome eccentric to the central shaft by the flexibility of the bellows.

A pair of friction surfaces 356 and 356 is provided on the upper surfaceof the guide plate 256, and each has a length which extends through andbeyond the traverse of the gear edge of the tray.

Disposed between the side plate and between the pairs of shafts 316,326, and 314, 328, is a pair of vertically spaced apart glass plates 358and 360. A snap action switch 362 is fixed to the left side plate and isactuated by a cross-shaft 364 which is journaled between the sideplates. This actuator carries a pair of feelers 366 and 366', which passbelow the shafts 330 and 328, above the shaft 314, and around the front,the top, and the rear of the pair of glass plates. A receptacle 368,here shown as a box, but which may incorporate the security receptacledisclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 187,511, filed Apr. 16,1962, and entitled Depository Machine Combined With Image RecordingMeans, now US. Patent No. 3,173,742 dated Mar. 16, 1965, is disposedbehind and below the shafts 316 and 326.

A camera 370 includes a lens 372, which views an angled front surfacedmirror 374, which in turn views a pair of spaced apart and angled frontsurfaced mirrors 376 and 378, which in turn view the two glass plates358 and 360. The camera is thereby focused on the space between the twoglass plates. A known film transport and shutter mechanism is coupledvia a flexible shaft 380, a clutch 382 and a clutch engaging solenoid384 to the shaft 316. Suitable light sources are also supplied.

The operation of the recording and stacking system The tray is initiallyin its forward and low position, with the latch 284 interlocked with theupstanding tooth 288. The clamp elements and 124 release the remainderof the envelope and the documents which fall onto the tray 258, as shownin FIGURE 10 and FIGURE 2, position B. The clamp carriage blockcontinues to traverse towards the right until it abuts the switch 236,which switch deenergizes the motor 198 and also pulses the solenoid 278.The solenoid tips the latch 284 to release the tooth 288 on the traycarriage block 260. The roller plate carriage now actuates the switch237 which deene-rgizes its motor 194, and also energizes the motor 308.The block is drawn rearwardly and upwardly by its springs until thetopmost paper on the tray, which is the baffle panel 20, is engaged bythe rubber rollers 348, causing the stack of papers to conform to theconcave shape of the tray. The rear edge of the stack also tends toshift until the rear edges of the papers abut the friction surfaces 356and 356' on the guide plate 256. The rotation of the rollers 348, whichare in frictional engagement with the top paper, strip this top paperoff the stack, towards the rear. The rest of the stack tends to movetowards the rear with the top paper. However, the frictional retardingforce provided by the friction surfaces and the curvature of the papersis greater than the adhesion between the top paper and the neXt-to-toppaper, and only the top paper is stripped off. As the rear leading edgeof the stripped olf top paper is fed into the nip of the rollers on theshafts 312 and 332, the photocell 'light beam is interrupted and themagnetic brake is first fully energized, and then partly energized,initially stopping and subsequently slowing the rotation of the shaft332. The rollers on the shaft 314 have a higher peripheral surface speedthan the rollers on the shaft 338, and snatch the top paper from therollers 348 on the shaft 338 which idle on their oneway clutches 339 and339'. If by accident two papers have been stripped off the stack, therubber rollers on the shaft 312 will advance the top paper while therubber surfaces of the rollers on the halter shaft 332 will hold thelower paper until the top paper has cleared. That is, when the lowerrollers are first fully braked, the static friction force between theupper rubber rollers and the upper surface of the top paper, and thedynamic friction force between the lower rubber rollers and the lowersurface of the lower paper, are each greater than the static frictionforce between the two papers. The static friction engagement between thetwo papers is thus overcome. The lower rollers are only instantaneouslyfully braked, and subsequently are partly braked. The friction forcesbetween the rollers and the papers are still greater than the dynamicfriction force between the papers and the top paper is slid by the toprollers over the bottom paper which is retarded by the lower rollers.The top paper is The camera clutch solenoid 384 is in series with thefeeler switch 362, across the A.C. lines. When a paper raises thefeelers to actuate the switch 362, the camera is operated.

When the tray 258 is restored, it actuates the switch 390 at 608-1-11.The switch steps to the "12 level. The clamp motor 198 is energized at608-2-12. When the clamp carriage actuates the switch 392, the switch isstepped to home to the level.

The modification of the envelope opening system A modification of theenvelope opening system is illustr-ated in FIGURES and 21. A daggerassembly having a scissors action is substituted for the dagger 146, thewires 148 and 148', and the rollers 164 and 164'. This scissors-daggerincludes a main blade 400 having a thickened head portion 402 bearing apointed subportion 402P, and a leg portion 404 which is fixed to thefront plate 74. Two blades 406 and 408 are pivotally mounted at 410 tothe main blade 400. A cross-link 412 is also pivotally mounted to themain blade 400 at 414. The link carries a stud 416 which is slidablydisposed through a slot 418 in the blade 406, and a stud 420 which isslidably disposed through a slot 422 in the blade 408. A linear actuator424 is mounted by a bracket (not shown) to the rear plate 76, and has aplunger 426. The plunger is pivotally coupled at 428 by a link 430 tothe distal end of the blade 406 at 432.

In operation, the blades 406 and 408 are initially in theirsubstantially closed position, which is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE20. The leading plait of the envelope 10 is brought onto the pointedsubportion 402P of the main blade 400 by the suction tubes as previouslydescribed. The envelope is then advanced on the main blade by the clampassembly to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 20, slitting theleading edge of the envelope. The linear actuator 424 is then energized,spreading apart the blades 406 and 408 to the position shown in solidlines in FIGURE 20, the blade 408 being constrained to follow the motionof the blade 406 by the cross-link 412. The envelope is concurrentlyadvanced further on the main blade 400 to the position shown in dottedlines, slitting the sides and the trailing edge of the envelope.

The stamping of the indicia adjacent the head portion 402 and theejection of the severed receipt are accomplished as previouslydescribed.

Another modification of the envelope opening system comprises thesubstitution of a dagger assembly having a head portion which is pivotedto the main portion. After the dagger has been inserted through theleading and trailing plaits of the envelope, the head portion is pivotedthrough 360 to sever the envelope completely.

A further modification of the envelope opening system comprises the useof an envelope having the two folds of each plait of unequal width, i.e.the leg panels 34 and 38 are of unequal width. In such a case amechanical depressor and pincer is substituted for the suction tubes andis utilized to grasp the longer fold to spread apart the plait and toadvance the envelope onto the dagger.

The modification of the recording system A modification of the recordingsystem comprises the provision of a document guide and alignmentmechanism in the path of the documents before the rollers which feed thedocuments between the glass plates for recording. The documents may beof various dimensions and it is desirable that they be aligned topreclude the possibility of their jamming while passing between theglass plates. The mechanism may be of a known type including a guide barand angled rollers to direct each document against the guide bar.

While certain embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatmodifications may be made without depart- 14 ing from the principles ofthis invention which shall be limited solely by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for opening an envelope having a pair of side panels,comprising:

support means for supporting an envelope;

severing means for entering the envelope between the side panels and forsevering the junctions joining these panels together;

said severing means including a dagger-like structure having a pointedend, a base end,

and two sides,

two extensible wires, one adjacent each side of said dagger-likestructure, and each wire having one end thereof fixed adjacent saidpoint end and the other end thereof adjacent said base end; and

coupling means coupled to said support means and said severing means,for disposing said point end through two opposite junctions of theenvelope, thereby severing at least in part these junctions, and alsothereby disposing a portion of each of said wires within the envelope,and for deflecting a mediate portion of each of said wires away fromsaid dagger-like structure, thereby severing the remaining junctions ofthe envelope.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support means includespincer means for grasping the envelope.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further including:

means for widening the leading junction of the envelope through whichsaid point end is initially passed.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said widening meansincludes two opposed suction tubes, each adapted to seize one respectivepanel adjacent the leading junction and to draw these panels apart,thereby widening the adjacent leading junction between these panels.

5. An apparatus for opening an envelope having a pair of side panels,comprising:

support means for supporting an envelope;

severing means for entering the envelope between the side panels and forsevering the junctions joining these panels together;

said severing means including a dagger-like means for piercing theenvelope through two opposite junctions whereby to sever at least inpart said two junctions of the envelope;

extensible flexible cutting means carried by said daggerlike means andadapted to be extended subsequent to being disposed at least partiallywithin said envelope for severing the remaining junctions of theenvelope, and

coupling means coupled to said support means and said severing means formoving when actuated said support means relative to said dagger-likemeans and for expanding said cutting means with respect to saiddagger-like means, whereby said severing means enters and opens theenvelope.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 and said severing meansincluding a plate mounted for reciprocating motion relative to saiddagger-like means; said plate having means for engaging said cuttingmeans and extending said cutting means during motion from one endposition to the other end position along said reciprocating motion.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said extensible flexiblecutting means comprises a pair of wires rendered extensible by springmeans which are interposed between the respective wires and theirrespective points of attachment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. AN APPARATUS FOR OPENING AN ENVELOPE HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE PANELS,COMPRISING: SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AN ENVELOPE; SEVERING MEANS FORENTERING THE ENVELOPE BETWEEN THE SIDE PANELS AND FOR SEVERING THEJUNCTIONS JOINING THESE PANELS TOGETHER; SAID SEVERING MEANS INCLUDING ADAGGER-LIKE STRUCTURE HAVING A POINTED END, A BASE END, AND TWO SIDES,TOW EXTENSIBLE WIRES, ONE ADJACENT EACH SIDE OF SAID DAGGER-LIKESTRUCTURE, AND EACH WIRE HAVING ONE END THEREOF FIXED ADJACENT SAIDPOINT END AND THE OTHER END THEREOF ADJACENT SAID BASE END; AND COUPLINGMEANS COUPLED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND SAID SEVERING MEANS, FORDISPOSING SAID POINT END THROUGH TWO OPPOSITE JUNCTIONS OF THE ENVELOPE,THEREBY SEVERING AT LEAST IN PART THESE JUNCTIONS, AND ALSO THEREBYDISPOSING A PORTION OF EACH OF SAID WIRES WITHIN THE ENVELOPE, AND FORDEFLECTING A MEDIATE PORTION OF EACH OF SAID WIRES AWAY FROM SAIDDAGGER-LIKE STRUCTURE, THEREBY SEVERING THE REMAINING JUNCTIONS OF THEENVELOPE.
 3. AN APPARATUS ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1 FURTHER INCLUDING: MEANSFOR WIDENING THE LEADING JUNCTION OF THE ENVELOPE THROUGH WHICH SAIDPOINT END IS INITIALLY PASSED.